By William Coleman
Devon is a location where I would spend most of my holiday time as a youngster. Dartmoor was an area in particular I was very fond of due to the “beast” that roamed the Moors in search of its dinner. Now the area has done its part in bringing together a family reunion after 40 years of holiday memories.
Peter and Margaret Richards have been holidaying in Dartmoor for over 40 years! Their very first destination of choice all those years ago was Dartmoor’s Langstone Manor Holiday Park. They have recently gone back, but this time they were not alone.
The couple, who are located in East Sussex, decided to celebrate 4 decades of happy holiday memories by arranging a trip to the park with their entire family. The large family consists of a whopping 18 children and grandchildren.
The multi-award winning park, located near Tavistock, welcomed the the family as they prepared for a fortnight of festivities as the extended family enjoyed a get together of a lifetime.
The owners of Langstone Manor, Jane and David Kellett, were more than happy to have the family reunion at their site. The booking was the largest single booking they had ever received from one single family since they acquired the park 20 years ago.
So where does one fit so many people on a site when not everyone has their own leisure vehicle? The mums, dads and grandchildren took over the apartment in the 150 year old manor house, two luxury cottages and a caravan for their 2 week stay. A nice varied mix of accommodation that perfectly demonstrates the freedom and flexibility of staying at a site such as Langstone Manor.
Now that both Peter and Margaret are both retired they are making the most of their leisure time. The couple used a tent as their accomodation during their very first visit at Langstone Manor. As the years went on the couple spent the first wedding anniversary on site in a two-berth caravan.
Time went by and their careers blossomed and they became parents, Peter and Margaret continued their visits to Langstone.
Unchanged from then to the present day, though, is their love of the Devon countryside – and especially Dartmoor – which has been passed down to their three children.
John, Zoe and George now live in different parts of the country, but were delighted to be reunited at the park, and to show their offspring where they had enjoyed their summers as youngsters.
But although the standpipes, small shop selling eggs and milk, and the trek to the toilet blocks have long disappeared, Peter and Margaret say the park’s most important qualities remain the same.
It is still, they assert, the peaceful, welcoming, well-run and friendly park it always was – and that Langstone Manor will forever hold a very affectionate place in their hearts.
Among the park’s many accolades is the David Bellamy Conservation Award at its top gold level, and the TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence for its consistently glowing reviews.
Today the park still provides camping and touring facilities along with a wide range of holiday homes and luxury glamping pods, plus facilities including a popular bar and restaurant.
There is more information about the park at www.LangstoneManor.co.uk
